Assistant News Editor Jeff Eubanks writes about how pets – dogs and cats – have grown on him through the years, and how that makes him even more upset at the treatment of Sunny, a dog recently turned into the local animal shelter. Eubanks’ punishment for whoever abused Sunny would really be special, he adds. (December 27, 2013, Page 4A)

If you grew up in a family with brothers and/or sisters, you’ll certainly get a humorous bit of history in this week’s local column by Jimmy Reed as he looks back at one of his “fights” with his brother and how he avoided the usual post-fight punishment from his parents. (November 12, 2013, Page 4)

There are all kinds of ways to learn valuable lessons, and local columnist Jimmy Reed writes about one as he revisits memories of pilfering green, juicy plums from trees in the yard of one of his teachers at school. (July 12, 2011, Page 4)